Improvement in post-hole diggers



BRYANT B'. linearen, or encuen, MICHIGAN.

l The Schedule ,referred to in these Letters-"Patent and making part of the saine.

I, BRYANT B. HERRIGK, of Decatur, in the county y of Van Buren and State of Michigan, have invented ing is a specification.

i l.llfcgttwre and 4O bjeets.` of the Invention.. I The first 'part of my invention relates to the conan Improved Post-Hole Digger, ot' which the follow- 1 struction of a-tubular post-hole digger or hollow spade with Va series-'of perforations in the sides-thereof, and

\ with an inneroiset or shoulder formed a little above its lower cutting edge to catch and retain the'dirt until it is removed from-the post-hole.

lhe second 4part of my invention relatesto theliatteningjof one side of the" digger so that it may be usedto square the post-hole,iif desired, and'also as f a shovel inlling inthe hole when the post is set.

Description of the Accompanying Drawing. Figure-1 is an elevation, in perspective, of my improved post-.hole digger.

Figure 2, a central longitudinal section thereof.

` Generally-Description.

VA isthe tubularhollow spade or post-hole digger, made` of a cylindrical form, but having about vonefourth of its circumference `flattened fromend to end to present a plane surface, as, illustrated in fig. l of `the drawing. This instrument may be made ofcastiron or of steel; when made` of the 1atter,.so as to possess a degree of elasticity,l prefer to split'or separate it .longitudinally at some one point, so as vto allow it to openslightly under pressure.A

Upon and entirely around the inner periphery of jeeting shoulder, B, a short dist-ance above its lower end, and bevel oi the metal from Vtheedgeof said olf- `set downto the outer face ofthe instrument, atits llower end, so as to impart l thereto a sharp cuttingedge, as illustrated n-fig. 2. vBy means of this odset i B the dirt forced up withinthe spade A isretained therein and 4.prevented dropping out until the instrument-is withdrawn fromY the ground, and in some man- 'ner operated upon to remove its charge.

an =oifset or inwardly-pro-V To facilitate the retention of' the dirt within the instrument I furthermore perforate its sides, as shown at D D inthe drawing, so that the edges of said peri forations, engaging the dirt, which will naturally expand thereiuto more or less, will serve to support the entire mass land prevent it from slipping out accidentally. The tubular spade A, thus constructed, is united to a suitable handle, F, of wood or metal, (by preference the formen) by means of three or more rods, C O O, united at one` end torform a common bar or shank, E, and spreading thence to equidistant points in the upper end of the tubular spade, to which they are iirmly secured. i

The bar .or shank E isthreaded to screw up into the lower end oi the handle F, a cap or washer, Gr, being first screwed down upon the shank, so as to-iorm a shoulder, against which the lower end of the handlewill find abearing and support when said shank E is screwed up therein, as illustrated .in g. 2.

In operation, the spade is forced down vertically into the earth until its interior is filled." It .is thereupon withdrawn, its interior o'set B and perforations l `D D preventing the inclosed mass of earth from dropping out when it is removed.- The charge of earth,

having been carried to any desired point, is forced from the spade and emptied, by striking the spade upon the ground or against any suitable object, or by blows thereonwith a small mallet, which in either case will so loosen and displace the. inclosed mass .as to cause it to dropout very readily. With the flattened side of the implement the sides of the hole ont in the ground may be squared, when desired, and this form of the tubular spade adapts it for use as a shovel under` anyA circumstauces,'and especially in refilling the post-holes. f

I .claim as my invention- 'lhe interionoli'set B 'formed in the lower end of a tubular spade or post-hole digger A, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

-Witnessesz p BRYANT B. HERRICK.

HARRY O. CHURCH, WILLIAM MEAD,... 

